So, I stopped by the Y today to get a list of classes and schedule. Christine, the super nice lady that helped me was very informative. She said when I decide to come in and start working out, I can sign the list for a tour. Someone will take me on a tour of the gym and show me how each machine and station works. Also they will take me in a room to weigh me and take measurements. Then they will help make me a plan for in the gym according to what I want to achieve. Im supper excited. My back thing is still a little sore, so hopefully in a couple of days it will be all the way healed and I can get started.
P.S. I have only glanced at some of the classes so far, but they have water aerobics, yoga, Ta Chi and all sorts of interesting classes.

So, I stopped by the Y today to get a list of classes and schedule. Christine, the super nice lady that helped me was very informative. She said when I decide to come in and start working out, I can sign the list for a tour. Someone will take me on a tour of the gym and show me how each machine and station works. Also they will take me in a room to weigh me and take measurements. Then they will help make me a plan for in the gym according to what I want to achieve. Im supper excited. My back thing is still a little sore, so hopefully in a couple of days it will be all the way healed and I can get started.
P.S. I have only glanced at some of the classes so far, but they have water aerobics, yoga, Ta Chi and all sorts of interesting classes.

That's great. Yeah you should probably make sure your back is alright. If it's still hurting try to find out what workouts you can do to either strengthen that area or keep from aggravating that area.

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I've been spending about an hour and a half five to six days a week in the gym since February and I love it so much that I can't see myself ever going back to the way I used to be. I used to do all cardio and nothing else to maintain my weight. It was okay, but just okay. It didn't do squat (hehe, squats) for muscle tone, at least not for me.

I cut back on cardio because I feel like I only need it for basic heart maintenance, so my routine is this Monday through Saturday, depending on what area I'm working that day:

Pete, one of my buddies at the gym said that it'd be more effective for muscle tone to do my cardio last because of something to do with the way the body depletes fat fuels (I don't know that I'm wording it correctly). Is this true?

I also don't "diet", but I eat CLEAN. No processed crap, only whole grains, protein (mainly fish and boneless, skinless chicken), lots of raw vegetables and fruit, and WATER.

(and sweet tea made w/splenda, like twice a week)

Honestly, with the inches I've lost and the definition I've gained (am gaining), I can't believe I ever thought I was healthy before. I lose about three pounds per month at this point, and my theory is that if I'm eating the way I do and working out the way I do, then any weight I'm losing is because my body doesn't need it. My goal is to get down to minimal body fat, and I reeeeeally want to see how I'll be after another six months or so. Weight's not such a big deal to me now...I weigh less than I did before I ever had babies, but I'm totally addicted to the toning. The goal is NOT to bulk up or get big...just want to keep going so I can see how tight I can be.

That's awesome Alecia. Keep at it. You looked great in those pics you posted a while back so I'm sure if you're still improving that you of course still look amazing.

I went to the gym twice on Friday because I knew I wasn't gonna get to work out yesterday or today and also cuz we pigged out on Friday. Earlier in the day I took it easy and took advantage of the pool being empty. I've been having trouble getting my swimming/breathing technique down because it's been a while since I've swam for actual fitness. Second trip I focused on leg machine workouts. So far I haven't gained to much weight but I'm at least back in the weight range I feel comfortable in and significantly more toned. I haven't added too much weight to the machines yet which will help and I'm gonna start incorporating more free weights.

Pete, one of my buddies at the gym said that it'd be more effective for muscle tone to do my cardio last because of something to do with the way the body depletes fat fuels (I don't know that I'm wording it correctly). Is this true?

I always say do cardio at the end of a workout. Though I keep it pretty short if it's after a strength workout. I prefer to do a longer cardio workout on its own day.

Keep in mind, guys, that working out is all about figuring out what works for you. Every person's body is different. And that's why all these diet and exercise books don't work. They aren't addressing the individual. So, in the stuff that I'm posting, I'm basically just giving you some other stuff to try. Nothing I say is gospel. Working out isn't one size fits all. It's about experimenting and finding out what works for you.

It's all trial and error.

I did the program from Arnold Schwarzenegger's book for years and got very little in results. Finally I saw the movie Pumping Iron and in that (it might have been in the special features) he admits to doing steroids. I was like - why the fuck am I training like somebody who's doing steroids. I started experimenting more. And then finally found a few different workouts that seem to work really well for me. Now I rotate them. And every once in a while I'll try a new one to see if I like it.

I did my 50 lengths again yesterday. This week's going to be busy for me but hopefully I can do my 4 swims again. I might just need to up the distance I'm doing if not. I don't feel really tired until I get out the pool anyway.

Terry, my muay Thai coach, has a fight lined up for me. He said all I have to do is accept it and it's a go. I said, I know I'm not ready, but give me another month or two. He said, "Telling you when you're ready is MY job dummy! You're job is to get in the ring and knock somebody out!" So I was like - still not ready. Then he said, "Alright well you think about it over the weekend. You're fight is on the 22nd."

So... I don't think I'm ready. But he's obviously doesn't hear the word no. So I'm kinda torn. Do I fight or not? If this was like next month - I would say yes for sure.

Dang thats tough, Pete. It sounds like he wouldn't get you into a match if he didn't think you could handle it. He seems to think you're ready but if you don't think you are you might go in unconfident or not mentally ready and that could mess you up. I say go with your gut.

Terry, my muay Thai coach, has a fight lined up for me. He said all I have to do is accept it and it's a go. I said, I know I'm not ready, but give me another month or two. He said, "Telling you when you're ready is MY job dummy! You're job is to get in the ring and knock somebody out!" So I was like - still not ready. Then he said, "Alright well you think about it over the weekend. You're fight is on the 22nd."

So... I don't think I'm ready. But he's obviously doesn't hear the word no. So I'm kinda torn. Do I fight or not? If this was like next month - I would say yes for sure.

I think you should go for it. Winnie has a point about not being mentally ready but I think that Terry wouldn't schedule a fight for you if he didn't think you were well equipped to handle it. I remember you saying before you started classes,that you weren't planning on fighting but further down the road you started getting excited at the possibility. You should really take this opportunity to test all the skills you've learned. Say you choose not to fight, you should still train these next couple weeks as if you did have a fight coming up, because if you're not mentally ready now, who's to say you'll be ready a month from now?

Yeah, Pete. Go for it. If you don't feel ready now, you might never feel ready. If he asked you this last month, I'm sure you would've said you'd be ready in a month. Yeah, it's scary as hell, and that should make you train your ass off 'til the fight. With a fight coming up, training is going to feel like you're already in the fight, and that should get you prepared.

Just remember, the best kind of confidence isn't blind and emotionally stable. It's being curious of where you stand and willing to risk what it takes to know so you can perfect your skills. Let your mind adapt to the new situation and whatever happens, learn from it and grow.

I sound like my old chubby, hairy dick of a coach right now... which is fine... he was cool.

Dang thats tough, Pete. It sounds like he wouldn't get you into a match if he didn't think you could handle it. He seems to think you're ready but if you don't think you are you might go in unconfident or not mentally ready and that could mess you up. I say go with your gut.

This is basically my problem. Mentally I don't think I'm there. I don't know how to pace myself when I get in the ring. Every kick and punch I throw is 110% and I'm going balls to the wall. So I only last 1 minute before I'm already gassing out.

Imke wrote:

Will there be girls in bikini tops and hotpants walking around with the round numbers?

Say you choose not to fight, you should still train these next couple weeks as if you did have a fight coming up, because if you're not mentally ready now, who's to say you'll be ready a month from now?

What's that saying...Seize the Day?

I actually was training as if I had a fight coming up. It's a pretty intense training cycle where everything is times and fast instead of counting reps. You want your workouts to be a series of moves that start at like 4 series of moves of 3 minutes with 1 minute rest and slowly over weeks bring it to 4.5-5 minutes with 15-30 seconds rest.

It's pretty intense and you're basically making it so you're over-trained after the fight. You peak the day of the fight being in the best shape you can be that day. But you need to back off after that to let your body repair.

I like doing something like that toward the beginning of fall every year. I think I posted above that I train according to the seasons. I always try to peak somewhere at the end of summer, beginning of fall.

Say you choose not to fight, you should still train these next couple weeks as if you did have a fight coming up, because if you're not mentally ready now, who's to say you'll be ready a month from now?

What's that saying...Seize the Day?

I actually was training as if I had a fight coming up. It's a pretty intense training cycle where everything is times and fast instead of counting reps. You want your workouts to be a series of moves that start at like 4 series of moves of 3 minutes with 1 minute rest and slowly over weeks bring it to 4.5-5 minutes with 15-30 seconds rest.

It's pretty intense and you're basically making it so you're over-trained after the fight. You peak the day of the fight being in the best shape you can be that day. But you need to back off after that to let your body repair.

I like doing something like that toward the beginning of fall every year. I think I posted above that I train according to the seasons. I always try to peak somewhere at the end of summer, beginning of fall.

Watch out for over training--it's a common mistake and could ruin you for a fight. Also, the week (or at least the last couple of days) before the fight you may want to relax--this will make you chomping at the bit to get in there.

But what's most important is that you think of it as a hard sparring match. It really isn't anything but the anticipation is awful. And be ready for anything.

My last fight, the guy I was supposed to fight backed out a couple hours before the fight (this is really common). I ended up fighting a guy at least fifteen years younger (I'm old) that came up to about mid chest. So don't over plan. Mike Tyson said it best: Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.

Another thing about that fight was that it was my first fight in ten years. That, coupled with my son just being born, I put unreal expectations on myself. And I froze.

Terry, my muay Thai coach, has a fight lined up for me. He said all I have to do is accept it and it's a go. I said, I know I'm not ready, but give me another month or two. He said, "Telling you when you're ready is MY job dummy! You're job is to get in the ring and knock somebody out!" So I was like - still not ready. Then he said, "Alright well you think about it over the weekend. You're fight is on the 22nd."

So... I don't think I'm ready. But he's obviously doesn't hear the word no. So I'm kinda torn. Do I fight or not? If this was like next month - I would say yes for sure.

I can't tell if you're joking or not. But I love the way you worded that.

I think I've only been training for around 3-4 months now. I can't go more than once a week because of my shitty work schedule. Do you think I'd be ready?

(Keep in mind I am in excellent shape. My coach knows this obviously.)

Also - Ludwig and DB - How do you guys calm down in a fight? Like I stated before, every time I spar, or even with pad work, I'm going to fast and throwing every punch and kick like I'm trying to throw the knockout shot. It's just that I get so excited that I just want to go all out. Is it an experience thing? The more I fight and spar, the more I'll naturally start pacing myself? I also think I need to get my breathing down right. If I throw a quick combination, my breathing is thrown way off (blowing out with each punch).

Well, first of all you need to qualify my answer because I never sparred competitively in aikido (there is no competition in aikido).

Concerning the management of nervosity, there are a few methods that you can use depending on your level. Focusing on coordinating your breathing with your movement is one of them. One of the good methods that I learned from day one was to train your attention so that you see the opponent without looking at him. It does not mean to avoid him, but to keep a global perception of him. 2 advantages : you are not taken by the whole staring game, and you tend to perceive the opponent's intention earlier. A word of caution : this method is not to be used if you trained with a totally different approach of fighting.

Yeah - I kind of use the zone out method of watching my opponent. I try not to concentrate on just one area.

I'm not sure it's a nerves thing, because I do the same thing when I'm doing pad work with my coach. I think it's more excitement. I can't contain myself and I go too hard. And you know that kind of drains all of your energy too quick.

And I'm pretty sure that's all it is - because I can run for a pretty long time. I can jump rope for a decent amount of time.

And Terry tells me, "Relax, you're not going to knock his head off with your first punch. You don't have to put everything you got into every move."

It's exactly experience. When I first started, I was scared shitless to get in the ring. All the other guys were either really fast or huge. I would burn a lot of energy with nerves and the rest with trying to put everything into my strikes. Another thing that I would do is reach for blocks in an effort to not get hit. I hate to tell you this but it took me years to get over that. Just one day it clicks and I really don't know how else to put it.

Once you hit that point, everything slows down and you can see your openings and control your power. I actually hate hitting other people (kickboxer--go figure) so now I need to take a couple hard shots to get me going for sparring.

Before a fight, your going to be nervous. I had problems sleeping, eating, and my stomach was always jacked up for a month after I accepted my last fight. I tried to keep my mind off it by working out and I over compensated. I developed shin splints and messed up my right hand. But at weigh-ins, I noticed the guy nervously looking over at me. It's just something you'll have to deal with that everyone goes through. And five minutes after the fight it magically goes away.

Basically, put your faith in your trainer. If he says you're ready you probably are. You'll either do well or screw up your first time out--most people screw up. The real challenge is what you do after the fight.

PGoutis01 wrote:

And I'm pretty sure that's all it is - because I can run for a pretty long time. I can jump rope for a decent amount of time.

It's a whole lot different when someone's about to punch you in the face.

Seriously, just go in with a curiosity. You may or may not be ready, but be curious about it. That's what got me through my matches, getting excited about finding out where I am in my training, which got my adrenaline and testosterone pumping, which made me not care about the risks. Never be satisfied. Thus, become "hungry".

Unrelated: I used to think that when a boxer said he was "hungry", it meant he had this bloodthirsty desire to break a face. Then I realized it actually meant he had the extreme desire to do just develop and apply his skills... onto someone's face. Yes... there is a difference.

How do you guys calm down in a fight? Like I stated before, every time I spar, or even with pad work, I'm going to fast and throwing every punch and kick like I'm trying to throw the knockout shot. It's just that I get so excited that I just want to go all out. Is it an experience thing? The more I fight and spar, the more I'll naturally start pacing myself? I also think I need to get my breathing down right. If I throw a quick combination, my breathing is thrown way off (blowing out with each punch).

A fight is an ice cream bar. You can't just bite into it right away or you're going to get brain freeze and make people watching you feel uneasy. You have to lick around and soften up the coating, numb your taste buds up to the cold frozen tastiness, taking the small cold stings in your gums and teeth, steadily sucking and slurping your way to the point where you're half way through and ready to chuck it at a moving car.

I'd pay to see that. Not that I want Jesface to get hurt but it would be worth watching in super slow mo.

I get shot in the face every time but I wear a mask because safety first, dummies.

But Frank, I understand why the idea made you internally giggle. I mean, with Ritt talking about blowjobs--I mean ice cream--um, I mean fighting--my comment was obviously the dirtiest thing in this thread.

Back to health and fitness... I always forget how good grapes are. Grapes are just fantastic. This might fit in better in the "what's the last thing you ate" thread but they're pretty healthy. Fruits. I might never eat anything else ever again. Which would no longer be healthy but since I haven't reached that point yet, I'll leave this paragraph here.

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